LINCOLN—Citing budgetary constraints, senators voted May 27 to delay a sales tax exemption for health care clinics owned by a single nonprofit hospital.

LB 420, introduced by Kearney Senator Galen Hadley, would permit nonprofit health clinics and health care practitioner facilities owned by at least one nonprofit hospital to claim a sales and use tax exemption. Current statute requires that clinics be owned by two or more hospitals or parent corporations to be eligible.

Nonprofit health clinics receiving federal funds through the U.S. Public Health Service and serving medically underserved populations also could claim the sales and use tax exemption.

The bill passed May 21 on a 42-0 vote, but senators voted 40-2 to return the bill to select file. Hadley offered an amendment that would change the effective date of the bill from July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2010.

While there is broad support for the measure, Hadley said, the resources are not available this year. The amendment was adopted 43-1 and LB 420 was re-advanced to final reading on a voice vote.

— Unicameral Update, May 27, 2009

 

LINCOLN—Senators agreed May 26 to lay over until next session a bill originally intended to extend a fine for delayed workers’ compensation payments. Under existing law, insurance companies face a penalty of 50 percent of the value of a claim if they fail to pay uncontested medical payments in a workers’ compensation case. LB 622, as introduced by Omaha Senator Jeremy Nordquist and amended on general file, would extend the penalty to contested claims under certain circumstances. Read more.

— Unicameral Update, May 28, 2009

 

LINCOLN—Nebraska lawmakers have approved a bill requiring those performing abortions to display ultrasound images of fetuses in a way that the women can easily view them. The bill, LB 675, passed Friday afternoon on a 40-5 vote. Four senators did not vote. It is expected to be signed by Governor Dave Heineman. Supporters of the bill introduced by Senator Tony Fulton of Lincoln argued it would give women more information to consider before making decisions. Read more.

— Lincoln Journal Star, May 29, 2009

Of all the proposals floating around the health reform debate to expand insurance coverage, there is one in particular that should give American businesses pause: the employer pay-or-play mandate. Businesses would be required to offer either health insurance coverage to their employees or pay them (or a government entity) a prescribed amount toward their care. This would turn employer-sponsored care from a voluntary benefit, which it has been for more than 60 years, into a federal requirement. This is not only bad policy, it is currently illegal.

The idea of forcing employers to provide coverage or specific benefits is not new. States and localities have often tried to regulate employer-sponsored health benefits. The idea picked up steam in the last presidential campaign, as Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and then Senator Obama all made pay-or-play a cornerstone of their health reform plans. Read more.

— Newt Gingrich and David Merritt, U.S. Chamber Post, May 29, 2009